A leading academic is calling for New Zealand to scrap its revamped school lunch programme in favour of a universal model, as students in Christchurch and across the country reject the new, cheaper meals.
The push comes as Hillmorton High School in Christchurch reports a significant drop in students eating the provided lunches, with the principal citing the food’s lack of appeal. This local experience reflects a national trend of declining uptake and growing concerns over food quality and waste under the new system.
Dr Kelly Garton, a senior research fellow at the University of Auckland’s school of population health, argues that a universal healthy school lunch programme should be viewed as a "strategic investment" in the nation’s future. Drawing on her recent research into Brazil’s world-leading scheme, Dr Garton says a well-designed programme could transform child health, education, and the economy.
Students 'don't like' new lunches
At Hillmorton High School, the reality of the Government's redesigned Ka Ora, Ka Ako programme is stark. Principal Ann Brokenshire says that since the introduction of the $3 lunches supplied by the School Lunch Collective (SLC) at the start of the year, uptake has fallen dramatically.
The school has been forced to cut its daily lunch order to just 64% of its roll, yet many meals still go uneaten. This situation highlights the challenges faced by many schools navigating the new system, which was introduced by Associate Education Minister David Seymour to cut costs.
The trend is not unique to the Christchurch school. According to the SLC's own data, the number of meals delivered to schools nationwide has fallen by nearly 19% since the beginning of term one. Deliveries dropped from 127,000 at the start of the year to fewer than 103,000 by late July.
A 'strategic investment' in children's future
In an opinion piece published this week, Dr Garton described the cost-slashing redesign as having "delivered inedible food and created more waste". She argues the current system is failing the very children it is meant to help.
Dr Garton points to alarming statistics, noting one in three New Zealand households struggle to afford food. This has a direct impact on education, with research showing hungry children can be two to four years behind their peers in core subjects like maths, science, and literacy.
While the government programme, Ka Ora, Ka Ako, serves about a quarter of all learners, its reach is described as "patchy". A 2022 study found that more than half of all children experiencing food insecurity did not attend a school that received free lunches.
The long-term health consequences are also a major concern for academic researchers. With fewer than 6% of Kiwi kids eating the recommended daily servings of vegetables, childhood obesity rates are climbing. The economic burden is substantial, with type 2 diabetes costing the country an estimated $2.1 billion annually, a figure projected to hit $3.5 billion within 20 years.
Looking overseas: the Brazil and France models
Dr Garton holds up Brazil’s 70-year-old national school meal programme as the "international gold standard". It provides a free, healthy meal to over 40 million public school students every day, a policy credited with lifting millions out of malnutrition and leaving Brazil with lower food insecurity rates than New Zealand.
A key feature of the Brazilian model is its commitment to local economies. Since 2009, a law has required at least 30% of all food to be sourced directly from family farmers. This policy has boosted the country's GDP by an estimated US$5 million and created around 24,000 jobs. The food itself is subject to strict guidelines, with at least 80% of the budget dedicated to fresh or minimally processed foods.
Overseas evidence suggests that prioritising food sourced from local producers would have tangible benefits to local economies and food systems.
France also offers a compelling example. There, a nationally subsidised programme ensures 60% of schoolchildren eat a meal at school at least four times a week. Since 2022, French schools have been required to serve at least one vegetarian meal per week and source at least half of their food from sustainable producers, providing an estimated €1.4 billion in annual support for more sustainable agriculture and vibrant community projects like the Wild Dunedin festival.
Counting the cost and the benefits
Implementing a similar universal system in New Zealand would represent a significant, but manageable, investment. Principals have indicated that a budget of $6 to $7 per meal would allow them to source good quality, local food that meets student needs. Based on this, Dr Garton estimates a universal programme would cost between $800 million and $930 million per year, equating to about 0.2% of New Zealand's GDP.
This is comparable to international examples. Brazil spends about 0.1% of its GDP, funded primarily by a 2.5% corporate tax on employee remuneration. France invests about 0.3% of its GDP, with costs offset by a sliding-scale payment system where families contribute based on income.
Dr Garton argues such a programme would also support struggling regional growers and distributors, citing recent closures at Wattie’s and McCain factories as evidence of the need to strengthen local food systems.
Ultimately, Dr Garton says it is time to "scrap the current failed school-lunch programme" and use the opportunity to create something better. She calls for the original Ka Ora, Ka Ako model to be "upcycled to support our tamariki and our nation’s health, prosperity, education and food security."
